Housebreaking a Puppy: Turning Accident into Triumph

Hello and welcome back to the Lead & Collar Blog, where our goal is to provide high value education and resources for beginner dog owners.

Bringing home a puppy is an exhilarating experience. Those adorable eyes and wiggly tail can melt even the toughest hearts. But along with the cuddles and playtime comes the responsibility of housebreaking – a crucial step to ensure both your sanity and your home's cleanliness.

Fear not, as we will embark on a journey to demystify the art of housebreaking your new canine companion.

#1 What is Housebreaking:

Housebreaking, also known as potty training or housetraining, is the process of teaching your pup where and when to do their business.

In simpler terms, it's about turning your home into a harmonious haven where accidents are a rarity.

#2 Why is it Important:

Picture this: You've just settled down on the couch after a long day, only to step into a surprise puddle left by your pup. Frustration central, right?

That's where housebreaking really shines. It not only saves your floors and carpets from becoming the unintended bathroom, but it also fosters a healthy and happy relationship between you and your puppy.

#3 When is the Best Time to Start:

As soon as you bring them home your training must start.

This pertains to everything from housebreaking to where you want them to sleep to appropriate behaviors. Waiting just introduces more problems you have to correct later when they are bigger and set in their ways.

#4 Where to Do It:

The great outdoors become your pup's new playground for potty endeavors.

Designate a specific spot in your yard or if you have an apartment your balcony on a dog potty tray as the go-to potty area. The scent helps trigger the "nature's call" sensation, turning your chosen patch of grass into their area.

A word of caution: puppy pads can be helpful at first but you then need to retrain your dog again where to toilet once you stop using them, so use wisely with that in mind.

Okay, so now that we’ve covered the basics of what house breaking looks like and why it matters, let’s talk about how to actually do it.

If you follow these 6 simple steps, you’ll set you and your puppy up for success (and have them house trained in no time)!

Step 1: Establish a Schedule

Consistency is your secret weapon. 

Create a regular routine for your puppy's feeding (generally twice a day minimum), playtime, and potty breaks. Pups thrive on predictability, so stick to a set schedule to help them understand when it's time to go outside.

Remember, a good guide to help with your schedule is a puppy can hold their bladder 1 hour for every month of age.

Step 2: Be the Ultimate Supervisor

Especially during the early stages of housebreaking, vigilant supervision is key. 

Keep your pup within your sight at all times. You can use a leash or tether them to you to prevent any surprise accidents.

Also remember your puppy will most likely need to toilet after waking, after food/water, and around activities eg. playtime. 

Step 3: Use confinement when can’t supervise

If you can't supervise your puppy at times during the day or at night when you go to bed, then the best bet is to use your crate.

Your puppy's crate isn't a punishment – it's a cozy den where they feel safe. Dogs generally avoid soiling their living space, making crate training an effective method. However, they can't hold it all day so be smart about this and allow regular breaks for them to relieve themselves.

Tip: At night, if you need to take your puppy out of the crate for toileting, avoid play or excitement. Just let them relieve themselves, then calmly return them to the crate with minimal communication. Using a toileting word (eg: ”HURRY-UP”) might also be helpful. This prevents the puppy from associating nighttime with playtime.

Step 4: Decode Puppy Language

Puppies communicate through their actions.

Keep an eye out for signs like sniffing, circling, restlessness, or whining – these are subtle cues that your pup needs to relieve themselves. When you spot these signals, it's time for a potty break.

Step 5: Use Positive Reinforcement

When your pup does their business in the designated potty area, celebrate!

Praise them, offer treats, or give belly rubs. Positive reinforcement creates a strong connection between the right behavior and rewards.

Note: during nighttime wakeups, avoid praise and excitement to prevent unwanted habits. Unless you want to establish a 1am routine, it's best to skip the praise.

Step 6: Handle Accidents with Patience

Accidents are part of the process, so try your best to stay patient..

When accidents happen (and they will), simply clean up the mess without scolding your pup. They won't understand the reprimand and it might hinder progress. Additionally, think of using a cleaner that kills odor as a puppy might toilet in the same area if they can smell their pee. 

Conclusion:

As you embark on this journey of housebreaking, remember that Rome wasn't built in a day – and neither is a perfectly trained puppy. 

But more than that, house breaking isn't just about training your pup; it's about nurturing a strong bond. So, grab that leash, keep those treats handy, and let the housebreaking adventure begin!

As always, if you have any questions about the ins and outs of owning a dog, feel free to reach out to us via our contact page. We can’t wait to hear from you - Happy training!